2023 Canada $200 Petit Hibou, By Jean Paul Riopelle Pure Gold (No Tax)

2023 Canada $200 Petit Hibou, By Jean Paul Riopelle Pure Gold (No Tax)

Jean Paul Riopelle (1923-2002) drew wide acclaim for the abstract paintings that placed him at the cutting edge of several mid-20th-century modern art movements. Riopelle’s creative genius wasn’t limited to a single medium: in the 1960s, the Montréal-born artist dedicated himself to sculpture, creating works of art that underscored his connection to nature, which served as both a grounding force and muse.

One of those bronze-cast sculptures, Riopelle’s Petit hibou, is rendered in Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) on this coin crafted in gold sourced exclusively from Quebec mines. On the coin’s reverse, Riopelle’s sculpted work reaches an incredible relief height of over 6 mm, which further accentuates all the dimpled details that are attributed to the artist’s hand and creative vision.

A common theme in Riopelle’s later works, owls appeared in various lithographs, paintings and sculptures. As seen on Petit hibou, Riopelle’s sculptures are often marked by finger imprints that represent the act of creation.

From the 1970s until his death in 2002, Jean Paul Riopelle lived on Saint-Antoine-de-l’Isle-aux-Grues, Quebec, where a nature reserve was created in 2007 and named after him.

The coin’s reverse design is a representation of Petit hibou, a clay sculpture created circa 1970 by Jean Paul Riopelle. Beneath the sculpted form of an owl, which is rendered in Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR), the “Riopelle100” centenary mark (created by the Riopelle Foundation) commemorates the 100th anniversary of the artist’s birth (1923-2023). The obverse features a field pattern representing movement in nature behind the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign.

Specifications:
RCM Number: 208645
Mintage: 250
Composition: 99.99% pure gold
Weight: 62.27 g
Diameter: 36 mm
Face Value: $200
Finish: Proof
Edge: Serrated
Artist: Rev.: Jean Paul Riopelle Obv.: Susannah Blunt

Special Features:
• Pristine proof finish. Polished to a mirror-like finish, the brilliant field reflects light onto the multitude of sculpted textures and raised details that cast shadows and play with light.
• A Riopelle original that fits in the palm of your hand. This is a coin that rewards repeat viewings, and it represents a unique opportunity to add Riopelle’s art to your collection.
• Field pattern. The nature theme on the coin’s reverse extends to the obverse, where the field pattern represents movement in nature.
• A highly desirable collectible. Just 250 coins are available to collectors worldwide.
• Includes a special insert. Along with a serialized certificate of authenticity, your coin comes with a 74 mm x 74 mm card featuring an image of the sculpture and detailed information about the original artwork.

Packaging:
Accompanied by a special insert and a certificate of authenticity, your encapsulated coin is presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded wood case with a black beauty box.

The ‘Riopelle100’ mark, created by Raphaël Melançon, appears on the coin courtesy of the Riopelle Foundation, in collaboration with which the coin was created.

Petit hibou, circa 1970, cast iron 1989 and 2010. Original terracotta sculpture. Bronze, lost wax casting. 12.4 x 12.4 x 4 cm. © Estate of Jean Paul Riopelle / Copyright Visual Arts - CARCC (2023).